I was recently updating a "blade server 101" slide deck when I realized blades haven't changed over the past few years.  Okay, that's not an accurate statement - blade server chassis haven't been updated over the past few years.  Blade servers continue to get refreshed and new I/O modules are added for blade chassis, but the chassis itself hasn't gotten any major overhauls since the introduction of the Dell M1000e a few years ago.  Why does this matter to you?  It matters because when you buy blade servers, you are protected.  Let me explain why.

HP, IBM and Dell are stating their existing line of chassis will be available until 2014 (with a possibility that it will be extended through 2016.)   As I/O technology continues to change (i.e. 1Gb to 10Gb), your investment into your chassis won't be affected as future I/O modules and blade servers will be designed to fit into the chassis you purchase today.  Like a well made car from the '50's, your chassis is going to last several generations of servers therefore making it well worth your investment.

Another thing to consider is the durability of a blade chassis.  When asked what fails the most in a bladed infrastructure, the two most common answers were the blade server (memory) and the network/fibre I/O modules.  Very rarely will a blade chassis mid-plane fail.  It's not magic, it's common sense - the mid-planes are designed to be a passive platform with no moving parts, so there's very little to fail.  Sure, the fans/blowers and power supplies may die, but they are hot-swappable, field-replaceable parts that have minimal impact to production environments (if properly designed.)

When you are buying your next set of servers, consider blade servers, and don't worry.  You'll be protected!